When we first came out and told everyone about our relationship, I’d been nervous about her reaction. She’d been a little bit frosty to start with, but it only lasted a few days. I tried to talk to her about it but she shook her head and told me that it hadn’t ever been anything more than a hook up with Alex, and that she hoped we’d be very happy together. And that – amazingly – was that. Things had been pretty much plain sailing after that.

‘A cruise ship?’ I look at Alex, who is sitting at the kitchen table where we first met in December last year. This time, though, he’s not making margaritas, but scrolling through his phone looking at online baby shops. He makes an impressed sort of face. I half wonder if she’ll end up working alongside my mum, if she ever manages to get her dream job.

‘If you and me and Gen club together,’ he says, thoughtfully, ‘we could get this for Lottie as a christening present.’

Becky peers down at the screen. ‘A rocking horse? Didn’t you say she was only six months old, Alex?’

‘Yeah, but Jess and Gen are joint godmothers. They should get something she can keep.’

‘You’re such a softy,’ says Becky, ruffling his hair. He ducks away, laughing.

‘I think it’s a lovely idea.’ I drop a hand on the back of his neck, feeling the heat of his skin underneath my fingertips. And then I want to leave the kitchen and head upstairs with him as soon as I can. I take my hand away, trying to focus on what we’re supposed to be doing.

‘Becky, did they get in touch about doing references for our new place?’ Alex asks.

‘Yeah, it’s all done. Can I see the pics again?’

I click on the link on my phone. I’ve saved a load of photos, but I won’t be uploading them anywhere until we’ve got the keys in our hands. It’s the tiniest flat you can imagine, one bedroom and a kitchen/sitting room in Queen’s Park, the closest we could get to Little Venice, which is always going to be special to us.

‘It looks so sweet,’ Becky coos, looking back at Alex.

‘How long do you have left ’til you qualify?’

‘Another year.’

I look at him then back at Becky. It’s going to be tight, but I don’t care. ‘But I’ve been promoted, so we’ll manage – just.’

‘I get the feeling you two would be okay whatever happened, anyway.’ Rob looks pleased with himself. He’s still revelling in his Cupid role, a year later.